Throwing Caution to the Wind

Chapter 15

He felt the wind through his mask. He was at the peak of his swing, just letting go of the previous web. He waited as time slowed down ever so slightly, eyeing his next target, the tall appartment a few buildings down, he waited until the perfect moment and let loose another one. It was the perfect Tuesday.

He felt safer now that Ironman had agreed to not bother him and Ned had set up the tech so he could avoid the police. He felt like he had to whole city to himself. The city felt like it was a part of him. The Web cemented this sentiment. He had read earlier that day and saw that there was a new section. It was a timeline listing all the milestones on his journey so far. His first sightings, his various suit models, his first time out of Queens. All the way until recently when he and Ironman made contact that first time. Peter felt appreciated.

Of only the muggers and petty criminals of New York agreed.

The day went smoothly. A churro from an old lady he helped across the street. A quick mugging, he even managed to stop a drug deal without any violence.

Finally he got home. May wasn't back yet which meant that Peter had full reign of the kitchen. Whenever he offered May told him that he needed to focus more on his studying and let her be the adult. But he really enjoyed cooking. And he was actually good at it. No offense to May though.

He was in the mood for pasta. He opened the cupboard and saw the package of pasta, but then his eyes fell on the flour. He had fallen down a rabbit hole of Gordon Ramsay last week, which had lead him to find How to Basics video on how to make pasta. He loaded up the video, and decided on Fettuccini. He prepped his flour volcano and the pasta presser that May had gotten as a wedding gift. She never used it anyways.

As he sent the dough through the roller he thought 'am I How to Basic'. Laughing he shook his head and continued making his pasta. He had just finished making dinner when he heard May come in.

"Peter, it smells amazing" she said walking in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks May, here let me get you some" he told her.

He had his back to her when he heard her gasp.

"Did you make this...by hand"

"I, uhhh, yeah, is that ok" he asked.

Her answer was to take him into a hug.

When she let him go, he saw that there were tears in her eyes.

"May, are you ok" he asked.

"I'm fine, it's just, you're growing up and I can't stop it. I still remember when you needed a step-stool with a few books stacked on to even get your head over the counter" she said wiping her tears.

This time it was Peter tackling May in a hug. They stayed that way for a few minutes before sitting down to eat the Fettuccini.

******

At school the next day he spent all day sketching designs for the alarm clock. He also asked his biology teacher more about the REM cycle. Flash stopped him in the hallways between fourth and fifth period and gave him a quick punch to the jaw. Luckily he had started carrying around concealer. After dashing to thr bathroom and applying a thin coat, he went to class.

Finally the last bell rung and he found Happy's car in the parking lot, same place as last week. He got in and once again tried starting a conversation with Happy. But just like last week, it failed almost instantly. He spent the rest of the ride in silence.

Finally the pulled up to the tower. He got out and headed to the elevator. Friday brought him right up to the lab. Mr Stark was there waiting for him.